The first law of ecology - everything is related to everything else!

Ecologist Sophie Olejnik - discusses her continued work on assessing biodiversity on our golf courses and the crucial role golf clubs can play to help reduce or even reverse the steady decline in our flora and fauna up and down the country.

Following graduation and gaining her bachelor’s degree in ecology and environmental biology at Leeds University in 2015, Sophie joined the team at STRI Group as an ecology and environmental consultant.  

Working alongside Bob Taylor for almost three years helped both her skill and knowledge base immensely. From there, Sophie moved to work for BSG Ecology as a senior ecologist for two years before heading back to STRI in March 2020. April 2021 saw Sophie make the leap into freelance ecology and environmental work under her own banner- Oleo Ecology. With her extensive experience, she has enjoyed working on projects across the UK in both upland and lowland environments in a wide and diverse spectrum of habitats.

Sophie regularly works with golf clubs to provide ecological surveys and reports for both planning and general habitat management, as well as Phase 1 habitat surveys, UKHab and biodiversity gain assessments, including condition assessments.

“I count myself fortunate to have worked with many different golf courses to study and enhance their nature and biodiversity,” explained Sophie. “I am passionate about exploring the opportunities we have to better understand the wildlife golf courses can support, and how I can help provide practical management recommendations to help continue to conserve important flora and fauna on them.”

Biodiversity

“Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth. Without a wide range of animals, plants and micro-organisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat,” explained Sophie. “The state of biodiversity in the UK is in crisis with more than 40% of species populations either in decline or being identified as being of conservation concern.”

There has always been a historic understanding amongst greenkeepers that they are somewhat guardians of the open space they manage. However, there is increasing awareness of their part and their golf club’s role in protecting and enhancing the environment and the ability for golf courses to contribute to nature’s recovery. Only by understanding its richness and quantifying its value can we begin to appreciate biodiversity and how we can integrate positive management principles of club decisions, so that biodiversity is appreciated, conserved and restored in a sustainable way to deliver benefits to everyone.

The Project

Sophie was commissioned by The R&A to conduct a five -year study of biodiversity on golf courses across the UK. Of course, the key to any successful initiative is to measure the starting point and then continually measure, monitor and record progress throughout the project. “I am delighted to be heading up this invaluable project,” said Sophie. “The project was set up in 2022 with the aim of assessing and quantifying the biodiversity value of existing golf courses over a five-year period, using the biodiversity metric 4.0.”

The biodiversity metric measures biodiversity, using habitats as a proxy, and has been created to assist with the implementation of ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’, something which is now mandatory for all new developments in England. The project uses the metric as a measurement tool to quantify the biodiversity value of a select number of golf courses which support a vast variety of habitats, including:

• Grassland
• Hedgerows
• Lakes
• Woodland
• Watercourses such as rivers and streams

It calculates the biodiversity value of each habitat parcel based on numerous different factors including the habitat’s:

• Size
• Condition
• Strategic significance
• Type

Sophie was initially commissioned in year one to provide a baseline biodiversity review of 23 golf courses (heathland, parkland, and links) around the UK. With these survey results now complete, the goal is to now prepare general recommendations for enhancing and maximising the biodiversity value as a way to boost nature on these courses.

Sophie continued, “Importantly, the project aims to identify whether existing golf courses can contribute to global goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the UK.”

Study Findings

“The first year of data has provided some amazing stories about golf courses, and the wonderful work greenkeepers are doing up and down the country, giving an insight into the mosaic of habitats and number of notable species of flora and fauna on all three types of golf course (heathland, parkland and links),” said Sophie. “In year one of the study, over 150 species of principle importance, amber and red-listed birds of conservation concern and other rare or threatened species were found on the golf courses I visited.”

Study data:

• 128 notable invertebrates
• 22 legally protected or notable mammals
• 1 fungi classified as a species of principle importance
• 5 protected or notable reptiles
• 6 protected or notable amphibians
• 120 protected or notable birds
• 72 threatened plant species
• 15 rare or scarce plant species
• 8 plant species of principle importance

“There are so many opportunities to maximise biodiversity on golf courses,” clarified Sophie. “In an increasingly urbanised world, golf courses actually constitute relatively large green spaces; currently, the total area occupied by golf courses in the UK accounts for roughly over four times the total area of country parks.” Sophie continued, “Golf courses represent an important sanctuary for wildlife at a time when many of our native animal and plant species are under pressure in both urban and rural environments. Greenkeepers and ecologists have much to gain by joining forces to seek out new ways for how existing golf courses could become even more environmentally beneficial to society.”

Opportunities for nature conservation

So, how do we begin our conservation journey? I hear you shout. “There are many ways in which we, as custodians of our green space, could help support nature in its many forms,” Sophie explained. The key is to apply the following some or all the following practices:

• Audit your courses existing biodiversity. Having a starting point helps monitor improvement and highlights areas to concentrate your efforts.
• Reduce mowing of out of play areas. By reducing mowing of tee banks, around water bodies, ditches and hedges can improve both structural and species diversity.
• Increase diversity in woodlands. Introduce varied species of trees and underplant with native flowering, nut or berry-bearing shrubs.
• Improve diversity of dense scrub. Undertake rotational coppicing to increase structural diversity.
• Provide deadwood. Increase invertebrate populations by stacking dead wood in out of play areas and keeping some deadwood stands.
• Create a plan. All golf courses should develop a nature management action plan. Help can be sought from an array of nature conservation groups.
• Speaking of nature conservation groups, connect with local natural history clubs to share your green space and allow untouched places to be explored by experts to provide further insight into the biodiversity thriving on your golf course.
• Appoint an in-house Biodiversity Champion. Appointing a member of your team can have significant benefits of engaging with golfers, staff and other key stakeholders.
• Provide roosting and nesting boxes. Bat roost boxes and bird nest boxes are low cost and can be made in-house and installed on buildings and trees, helping to support red-listed birds like swifts and starlings.
• Use your purchasing power and make sure your money is going towards positive change. By supporting eco-friendly products which are less damaging to the environment, you’re encouraging companies to source and produce their products in a sustainable way too.
• Implement a sustainable recycling programme which includes composting. Don’t forget to recycle in the canteen too!
• Explore hybrid or all electric equipment which reduces noise and emissions. Creating a quieter environment is more beneficial to both humans and wildlife!
• Re-use equipment or materials wherever possible. Recycling has an impact on CO2 emissions and air quality, saves natural resources such as trees, water, minerals and supports a cleaner habitat for humans and animals.
• Make green thinking a key part of your culture! Include your employees in your environmental vision by getting them engaged and involved. Talk to and collaborate with your team members to gather their ideas for how your club can go green and be more environmentally conscious in the workplace. Getting input from employees will allow them the opportunity to embody and embrace your new mission and goals.

Benefits of biodiversity

“There are countless benefits to improving biodiversity on our golf courses,” stated Sophie. “Some are straight forward and obvious, but some are deeper rooted in our mental health and overall well-being.”

• Cost savings on fuel. As we leave out of use areas untouched, we significantly reduce our fuel consumption. Less machinery usage leads to reduced servicing requirements and repairs.
• Cost savings on materials. Reduced dependencies on pesticides and chemicals help reduce negative impact on the environment and save money. There are nature based solutions to some turf challenges - starlings and oystercatchers are reportedly excellent natural predators for grubs found on fine turf surfaces!
• Cost savings on labour. Again, less mowing and management (in the right places!) will help focus the workforce on detail work on more intensely played surfaces.
• Creates an enriched beauty on the golf course (flowers/insects/birds/mammals).
• Promotes a positive PR message to local community.
• Builds a sense of well-being for all (staff/customers/guests).
• Generates pride in your vision of sustainability.

The Earth is what we all have in common

It’s widely acknowledged that we are the first generation to recognise the impact and destruction of our planet and we could be the last that can do anything about it. By stepping up and effecting real change in the management of our golf courses could make a real difference. By modifying our practices, we can reduce or even halt the decline in biodiversity and begin to improve the natural environment on our golf courses for the benefit of all.

‘The greatest threat to our planet is that someone else will save it!’
Robert Swan OBE (made the longest unassisted walk ever to the South Pole).

Promoting workplace wellness through a mindful and healthy environment, to allowing your team members to think of the bigger picture and encouraging environmentally conscious practices at work will help your team feel healthier, more satisfied and more driven to thrive at work. It’s important for us to not just talk about how much we value the environment, but to actively work towards an environmentally conscious workplace. Above all, the benefit of leaving a lasting and positive impression of environmental impact will stay for generations to come.

It just leaves me to thank Sophie for her time and insight into conservation and what we can all do to promote biodiversity. I look forward to catching up again to report on the continued project findings and the stories she has to tell during her travels up and down the country.